Start job seeking now or wait for layoff?

Question

I have worked 1-1/2 years for a branch of a nationwide corporation that I fear will be closing soon, so I will be laid off. Our boss is planning to quit and they have not yet renewed our lease which is overdue. My concern is that I was laid off from another locally owned company 2 years ago due to a buyout. I'd hate to lose any severance pay they'd give me, but I also worry what it will look like to have two layoffs on my resume in a 2-year period, despite neither of them being through any fault of my own. Would HR people consider me risky? I'm a very stable and talented employee, but would this negate that? Should I start job-hunting now?

Answer 1

Two layoffs in a row wouldn't look bad on a resume.  Twenty years ago it would have made a recruiter wonder about you, but now it's so common it's no reflection on you.

But it can take awhile to find a job these days, so it would probably be a good idea to start looking.

Answer 2

First, you have no guarantee there will even be a severance package.  While many companies provide some severance, not all do, nor are they required to provide such benefits.  If you really believe the branch is closing, I would start looking now.